Handheld controller with spring-biased third finger button assembly

ABSTRACT

A handheld controller with spring-biased third-finger button grip detection is disclosed. The handheld controller can include a third-finger button on the handle and having a lever arm pivotally connected to the controller&#39;s main body so the third-finger button is movable between depressed position and released positions. A button-biasing member is pivotally connected to another portion of the main body and has a second lever arm that presses against the first lever arm to bias the third-finger button toward the released, extended position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/273,431, filed Dec. 30, 2015, entitled “Handheld Controller with Spring-Biased Third Finger Button Assembly” which is incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application is directed to handheld controllers and, more specifically, to virtual reality handheld controllers.

BACKGROUND

In a virtual reality system, a user wears a head-mounted display that presents a selected virtual reality (VR) environment in front of the user's eyes. In some VR systems, a user can manipulate items in the virtual environment with handheld controllers. The controllers include tracking patterns comprised of a pattern of lights, for example. The system monitors the movement of the tracking patterns with a tracking camera and reproduces the user's hand movements in the virtual environment. However, buttons traditionally used on game controllers, for example, do not typically detect detailed hand movements. For example, individual finger movements and gestures, as well as opened or closed hand movements, are not captured with traditional button configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the handheld controller with finger grip detection introduced herein may be better understood by referring to the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pair of handheld controllers each including finger grip detection according to a representative embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a user's right hand grasping the right-hand controller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the right-hand controller shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as viewed from the handle.

FIG. 4 is a side view and elevation with various components hidden to show a finger button mounting arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of the handheld controller with various components hidden to show a finger button mounting arrangement.

FIG. 6A is an isometric view of a handheld controller of an alternate embodiment with several features not shown for illustration purposes.

FIG. 6B is an enlarged isometric view of the handheld controller of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the handheld controller of FIG. 5 as viewed from above with various components hidden to show the finger button position sensor.

FIG. 8 is a front view in elevation of a handheld controller including grip detection according to another representative embodiment.

The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed embodiments. Further, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of the embodiments. Moreover, while the disclosed technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the embodiments described. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

A handheld controller with spring-biased third-finger button grip detection is disclosed. In an embodiment, the handheld controller includes a third-finger button on the handle. The third-finger button has a lever arm pivotally connected to the controller's main body so the third-finger button is movable between depressed position and released positions. A button-biasing member is pivotally connected to another portion of the main body and has a second lever arm that presses against the first lever arm to bias the third-finger button toward the released, extended position.

In at least one embodiment in accordance with current technology, a handheld controller comprising a main body, a handle extending from the main body, and a trigger button positioned on the main body or first portion of the handle. A third-finger button assembly is positioned on a second portion of the handle. The third-finger button assembly has a finger-engaging button and a first lever arm pivotally movable relative to the handle between a depressed position and a released, extended position. A button-biasing member is pivotally coupled to the main body and has a second lever arm engaging the first lever arm. The button-biasing member urges the finger-engaging button toward the released, extended position.

Another embodiment provides a handheld controller comprising a main body, a handle extending from the main body, and a trigger button positioned on the main body or first portion of the handle. A third-finger button is positioned on a second portion of the handle and has a lever arm pivotally connected to the main body. The third finger button is movable relative to the handle between a depressed position and a released, extended position. A button-biasing member is pivotally coupled to the main body at a first portion positioned away from the lever arm. The button-biasing member has a second portion engaging the lever arm, and the button-biasing member urges the third-finger button toward the released, extended position.

Another embodiment of the present technology provides a handheld controller comprising a main body, a handle extending from the main body, and a trigger button positioned on the main body or first portion of the handle. A third-finger button assembly is positioned on a second portion of the handle and has a finger-engaging button, and a first lever arm with a proximal portion connected to the finger-engaging button and distal portion pivotally coupled to the main body. The finger-engaging button is movable relative to the handle between a depressed position and a released, extended position. The third-finger button assembly has a button-biasing member with a mounting boss pivotally coupled to the main body at a position spaced apart from the distal portion of the first lever arm. A second lever arm is connected at a first end to the mounting boss, and a second end is spaced apart from the first end. The second end engages the first lever arm at an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions, wherein movement of the finger-engaging button from the released, extended position to the depressed position causes the button-biasing member to pivot relative to the main body. The button biasing member has a spring connected to the second lever arm and configured to urge the second lever arm to press against the intermediate portion of the first lever arm to urge the finger-engaging button toward the released, extended position.

General Description

Various examples of the devices introduced above will now be described in further detail. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled in the relevant art will understand, however, that the techniques discussed herein may be practiced without many of these details. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant art will also understand that the technology can include many other features not described in detail herein. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail below so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description.

The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of some specific examples of the embodiments. Indeed, some terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this section.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pair of handheld controllers 100 according to a representative embodiment. The pair of handheld controllers 100 includes a right-hand controller 102 and a left-hand controller 104. The primary structure of the right-hand controller 102 and the left-hand controller 104 when held adjacent to each other in a similar orientation, as illustrated, are substantially symmetric with respect to each other. Both the controllers 102/104 are described herein with respect to the right-hand controller 102, as both controllers include the same or similar features, albeit in mirror image. The right-hand controller 102 includes a main body 106 and a handle portion 108 extending from the main body 106. In some embodiments, a surrounding ring portion 110 extends from the main body 106. The controllers 102/104 can be part of a VR system 10, such as commercially available virtual-reality systems.

As shown in FIG. 2, the right-hand controller 102 includes a thumbstick 112, a trigger button 114 and a third-finger button 116. The main body 106 includes a thumb surface 118 from which the thumbstick 112 extends. The main body 106 may also include one or more buttons 120 and 122 positioned on the thumb surface 118. In some embodiments, the thumb surface 118 is a substantially planar surface. The handle portion 108 extends from the main body 106 on a side generally opposite the trigger button 114. The main body 106 and the handle portion 108 are ergonomically contoured such that a user's hand 5 can comfortably grasp the handheld controller 102 as illustrated. When the controller 102 is grasped, the user's thumb 7 (i.e., the first finger) is comfortably positionable above the main body 106 with the thumb 7 engaging on the thumbstick 112. The user's second or index finger 9 is positioned on the trigger button 114. The user's third or middle finger 11 operates the third-finger button 116. The third-finger button 116 is operative to detect whether the user is grasping the handle portion 108 with his or her third-finger 11. In some embodiments, the third-finger button 116 can detect various degrees of deflection corresponding to the force or pressure of a user's grip on the handle portion 108.

In some embodiments, the third-finger button 116 is active depending on the context of an associated virtual environment or game. In other embodiments, the third-finger button 116 is activated mechanically or by another sensor. One embodiment could include a palm sensor (e.g., analogous to a pistol grip safety or grip switch), such that when the palm sensor detects the user's hand, and the third-finger button 116 is released, an output signal indicates an “open-hand gesture.”

When the third-finger button 116 is depressed, the system registers that the user's hand is closed or grasped around the handle portion 108. When the third-finger button 116 is not depressed, the system can indicate an open hand gesture. The presence of a gesture can be a signal to the VR system 10 to initiate a command or to include the gesture in a corresponding apparition or avatar. The third-finger button 116 allows a user to maintain a grip on the handle portion 108 while still being able to provide hand grip inputs to the VR system. In another embodiment, the third button on the handle is positioned for engagement by the user's ring or fourth finger or the pinkie or fifth finger, or a combination of the third, fourth and/or fifth fingers. In some embodiments, the thumbstick 112, the trigger button 114, the thumb surface 118, and the buttons 120 and 122 can be configured to detect other hand and finger gestures as explained in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/939,470, titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING HAND GESTURES WITH A HANDHELD CONTROLLER,” filed Nov. 12, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

With reference to FIG. 3, the handle portion 108 includes a palm side 124, which confronts the palm of the user's hand 5, and a finger side 126 opposite the palm side 124 and generally confronts the fingers, such as the third-finger 11, of the user's hand 5. Accordingly, the third-finger button 116 is disposed on the finger side 126 of the handle portion 108. As shown in FIG. 4, the third-finger button 116 includes an arm 128 rotatably coupled to the main body 106 via a pivot shaft 130 extending along an axis A. With further reference to FIG. 5, the pivot shaft 130 is mounted at an angle with respect to the main body 106 in clevis arms 132 and 134 extending from the main body 106. In some embodiments, a torsion spring 136 is positioned about the pivot shaft 130 to return the arm 128 to the extended position and to provide tactile feedback to the user's third-finger 11 (see FIG. 2) in the form of a resistive force.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the handheld controller 100 of an embodiment that has a spring-biased third finger button 116 in accordance with another embodiment. The third-finger button 116 has a finger-engaging portion 111 projecting from the finger side 126 of the handle 108. A proximal end 113 of the arm 128 is connected to the finger-engaging portion 111, and a distal end 115 of the arm 128 is pivotally attached to the main body 106 by the pivot shaft 130. The arm 128 has an intermediate engagement portion 117 between the proximal and distal ends 113 and 115. The third-finger button 116 is pivotally movable about the pivot shaft 130 between a depressed, activated position and an extended, released position. A button biasing member 119 presses against the intermediate engagement portion 117 of the arm 128 and urges the arm away from the depressed, activated position and toward the extended, released position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the button biasing member 119 has a mounting boss 121 pivotally attached to a portion of the main body 106 spaced apart from the distal end 115 of the arm. The mounting boss 121 pivots about a pivot pin 123 attached to the main body 106. The button biasing member 119 has a lever arm 125 integrally attached at one end to the mounting boss 121. The lever arm 125 extends away from the mounting boss 121 and terminates at a free engaging end 127 that presses against the intermediate engagement portion 117 of the arm 128. In the illustrated embodiment, the button biasing member 119 pivots about a pivot axis that is skewed or non-parallel with the pivot axis of the pivot shaft 130 of the third-finger button 116. In other embodiments, button-biasing member 119 and the third finger button 116 pivot about respective spaced-apart pivot axes that are substantially parallel.

A spring 129 is attached to the mounting boss 121 and provides a biasing force that pushed the lever arm 125 against the arm 128 of the third-finger button 116 to bias the third-finger button toward the extended, released position. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 129 is a coil spring carried on the mounting boss 121, and one leg of the coil spring is securely connected to the lever arm 125 to hold the lever arm against the intermediate engagement portion 117. In other embodiments, other spring members can be connected to the lever arm to provide the urging force against the arm 128. The spring 129 and lever arm 125 arrangement allows for the use of a spring with a firm spring force, while the lengths of lever arm 125 and the arm 128 provide the leveraged mechanical advantage when a user presses the third-finger button toward the depressed activated position. This configuration provides a smooth, positive control and feel to the third-finger button 116 while ensuring for a quick and precise return of the third-finger button to the extended, released position when a user releases the button. The off-axis configuration of the button biasing member 119 relative to the third-finger button 116 allows for a thinner or smaller profile at the transition between the handle 108 and the main body 106, while providing enhanced performance and feel for the third-finger button 116.

As shown in FIG. 7, the third-finger button 116 includes a detection feature, such as a magnet or other detectable member. In the illustrated embodiment, a magnet 140 is mounted on arm 128. A sensor 142 is positioned inside the handle adjacent the magnet 140. In some embodiments, the sensor 142 is a Hall effect sensor. A Hall effect sensor is a transducer that varies its output voltage in response to a magnetic field. Thus, as the magnet 140 moves closer to the sensor 142, the output voltage varies. Accordingly, the third-finger button 116 is an analog button in that it can detect various degrees of deflection corresponding to the force of a user's grip on the handle portion 108 and output a signal corresponding to movement of the third-finger button 116. In some embodiments, the magnet 140 and the Hall effect sensor 142 may be replaced by an on/off switch such as a miniature snap-action switch, for example. In some embodiments, movement of the third-finger button 116 can be detected with an inductive proximity sensor or other suitable type of proximity sensor. In some embodiments, the detection feature for use with a proximity sensor can be a location (e.g., target location) on the third-finger button 116.

FIG. 8 illustrates a handheld controller 202 according to a representative embodiment. The handheld controller 202 comprises a main body 206, a trigger button 210 positioned on the main body 206, and a handle portion 208 extending from the main body 206 on the side opposite the trigger button 210. The handle portion 208 has a palm side 224 and a finger side 226. A first pressure sensitive sheet or pad 214 is positioned on the palm side 224 of the handle portion 208 and a second pressure sensitive sheet or pad 216 is positioned on the finger side 226. The pressure sensitive pads 214/216 are operative to detect compression of the pads caused by a user's fingers and/or palm, thereby registering the presence and/or strength of a user's grip around the handle portion 208. In some embodiments, the handle portion 208 only includes one or other of the first and second pressure sensitive pads 214/216.

Remarks

The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in some instances, well-known details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. Further, various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited except as by the appended claims.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and any special significance is not to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for some terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any term discussed herein, is illustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A handheld controller, comprising: a main body; a handle extending from the main body; a trigger button positioned on the main body or a first portion of the handle; and a separate third-finger button assembly positioned on a second portion of the handle and having a finger-engaging button that is movable relative to the handle, a first lever arm engaging the finger-engaging button and pivotally movable relative to the handle between a depressed position and a released, extended position, a button-biasing member pivotally coupled to the main body and having a second lever arm engaging the first lever arm, wherein the button-biasing member urges the finger-engaging button toward the released, extended position relative to the handle.
 2. The handheld controller of claim 1 wherein the trigger button is positioned on the main body on a side opposite the trigger button.
 3. The handheld controller of claim 1 wherein the finger-engaging button pivots about a first pivot axis, and the button biasing member pivots about a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis.
 4. The handheld controller of claim 3 wherein the first pivot axis is at a non-parallel orientation relative to the second pivot axis.
 5. The handheld controller of claim 1 wherein the handle has a palm side and an opposing finger side, and the finger engaging button projects from a finger side of the handle.
 6. The handheld controller of claim 1 wherein the button-biasing member has a mounting boss pivotally mounted to the main body, the second lever arm extending from the mounting boss, and a biasing spring connected to the mounting boss or the second lever arm.
 7. The handheld controller of claim 1 wherein the third-finger button assembly has a first pivot pin connected to the first lever arm of the finger-engaging button, and a second pivot pin connected to the button-biasing member and being skewed relative to the first pivot pin.
 8. The handheld controller of claim 1, further comprising a surrounding ring portion extending from the main body.
 9. The handheld controller of claim 1 wherein the main body includes a thumb surface and further comprising a thumbstick extending from the thumb surface.
 10. A handheld controller, comprising: a main body; a handle extending from the main body; a trigger button positioned on the main body or a first portion of the handle; a separate third-finger button positioned on a second portion of the handle and having a lever arm pivotally connected to the main body, the third finger button being movable relative to the handle between a depressed position and a released, extended position; and a button-biasing member pivotally coupled to the main body at a first portion of the button-biasing member positioned away from the lever arm, the button-biasing member having a second portion engaging the lever arm, wherein the button-biasing member urges the third-finger button toward the released, extended position relative to the handle.
 11. The handheld controller of claim 10 wherein the lever arm is a first lever arm and has the third-finger button with a finger engaging surface connected to the first lever arm, and the button-biasing member has a mounting boss pivotally connected to the main body and a second lever arm extending from the mounting boss and engaging an intermediate portion of the first lever arm.
 12. The handheld controller of claim 10 wherein the third-finger button pivots about a first pivot axis, and the button biasing member pivots about a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis.
 13. The handheld controller of claim 12 wherein the first pivot axis is skewed relative to the second pivot axis.
 14. The handheld controller of claim 10 wherein the handle has a palm side and an opposing finger side, and the third-finger button projects from a finger side of the handle.
 15. The handheld controller of claim 10, further comprising a spring that urges the button-biasing member against the lever arm.
 16. A handheld controller, comprising: a main body; a handle extending from the main body; a trigger button positioned on the main body or a first portion of the handle; and a separate third-finger button assembly positioned on a second portion of the handle and having a finger-engaging button, a first lever arm engaging the finger-engaging button and having a proximal portion connected to the finger-engaging button and a distal portion pivotally coupled to the main body, wherein the finger-engaging button is movable relative to the handle between a depressed position and a released, extended position, the third-finger button assembly having a button-biasing member with a mounting boss pivotally coupled to the main body at a position spaced apart from the distal portion of the first lever arm, and having a second lever arm connected at a first end to the mounting boss and having a second end spaced apart from the first end, the second end engaging the first lever arm at an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions, wherein movement of the finger engaging button from the released, extended position to the depressed position causes the button-biasing member to pivot relative to the main body, and the button biasing member having a spring connected to the second lever arm and urging the second lever arm to press against the intermediate portion of the first lever arm to urge the finger-engaging button toward the released, extended position relative to the handle.
 17. The handheld controller of claim 16 wherein the finger-engaging button pivots about a first pivot axis, and the button biasing member pivots about a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis.
 18. The handheld controller of claim 17 wherein the first pivot axis is at a non-parallel orientation relative to the second pivot axis.
 19. The handheld controller of claim 16 wherein the handle has a palm side and a finger side, and the finger-engaging button projects from a finger side of the handle.
 20. The handheld controller of claim 16 wherein the main body includes a thumb surface and further comprising a thumbstick extending from the thumb surface. 